Description

Welcome to the 2024 Sweet Home Parade of Lights presented by Pacific Power! 

This year's theme, "Sweet Lights & Ginger Delights," celebrates the sweetness of Sugar City with a dazzling display of gingerbread and candy-themed floats. Get ready to light up the night with creativity and color!

Please carefully review the instructions and official parade rules below to ensure a smooth, fun, and safe event for everyone.

1. Theme: "Sweet Lights & Ginger Delights"

• Incorporate gingerbread and candy elements into your float, such as gingerbread houses, candy canes, gumdrops, lollipops, and candy swirls.
• Bright, colorful lighting is a must! Use a minimum of 1,000 lights per float to ensure your gingerbread and candy designs shine in the nighttime parade.
• Oversized props and costumes are encouraged! Let your creativity sparkle by creating larger-than-life gingerbread figures and candyland scenes.

2. Official Parade Rules & Guidelines

Staging:

• The staging area opens at 4:00 p.m. Please do not arrive before 4:00 p.m., as our permit with the City only allows us access starting at that time. Any early arrivals will not be permitted to enter the staging area. Thank you for your cooperation!
• All entries must line up on Long Street between 18th Avenue and 22nd Avenue, facing 22nd Avenue.
• No support vehicles are allowed in the staging area due to space limitations. Please ensure only parade vehicles are present.

Horse (or Livestock) & Riders:

• All equestrian and animal units must provide a clean-up crew to pick up droppings in the staging area and along the parade route.
• No clean-up crew, no entry. Riders under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Bands/Marching/Walking Units:

• Maintain constant forward motion. Units are not permitted to stop for performances.
• If a gap of greater than 50 feet occurs, units must increase their pace or step aside to allow the procession to pass.

Children:

• Floats with children under 12 must have one adult for every five children (in addition to the driver).
• All children under 18 on floats must have guardian permission.

Floats:

• All floats must be well-lit. When in doubt, add more lights to make sure your float shines brightly in the dark!

Free Items:

• Due to low visibility during the night parade, do not toss items from vehicles. Items may be handed out along the parade route.

Driver Requirements:

• Drivers must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid driver’s license, and hold liability vehicle insurance.

Prohibited Items:

• No firearms or explosive devices are allowed on the parade route, except by authorized groups (such as military, NW Civil War Council, or historical/educational organizations).
• No alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia, or replicas of these items will be permitted.
• No political themes are allowed in the parade.

Parade Committee Authority:

• The Parade Committee reserves the right to bar any unit that doesn’t comply with these rules or reasonable community taste and decency standards. The committee’s decisions regarding entrants, eligibility, and placement are final.

Speed & Spacing:

• Keep your speed to about 3 miles per hour.
• Maintain a gap of 4 car lengths (60 feet) from the entry ahead of you to allow for better enjoyment by spectators.

We’re looking forward to seeing your "Sweet Lights & Ginger Delights" creation! Let’s make this year’s Parade of Lights the sweetest and brightest yet.

Parade Date: December 14, 2024
Staging Time: 4:00 p.m.
Parade Start: 6:00 p.m.

For any questions, please contact the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce.